Resumen de Using Social Cognitive Theory to Predict Physical Activity and Fitness in Underserved Middle School Children
Jeffrey J. Martin, Nate McCaughtry, Sara B. Flory, Anne Murphy, Kimberlydawn Wisdom
Few researchers have used social cognitive theory and environment-based constructs to predict physical activity (PA) and fitness in underserved middle-school children. Hence, we evaluated social cognitive variables and perceptions of the school environment to predict PA and fitness in middle school children (N = 506, ages 10�14 years). Using multiple regression analyses we accounted for 12% of the variance in PA and 13�21% of the variance in fitness. The best predictors of PA were barrier self-efficacy, classmate social support, and gender; whereas, only gender predicted fitness. The results affirmed the importance of barrier self-efficacy and gender differences. Our findings regarding classmate social support are some of the first to illuminate the importance of school-specific peers in promoting PA.
